"Blessed are the
peacemakers:
"Blessed are the
peacemakers:
they are recognized as children of God."
Matt 5:9
Peacemakers
resolve problems through non-violent solutions.
Peacemakers
are mindful of everyone’s thoughts and opinions.
Peacemakers
prevent war and stop other catastrophes like hunger and thirst.
Peacemakers
will stand up for peace no matter what. They’ll
charge head on into persecution and come out victorious in the end if they stay
true to peace.
God
is first of all peaceful. When we
are peacemakers, others see God through us, just like seeing parents through
children. Hence, peacemakers are truly children of God.
When
you start to argue with fellow siblings, peers, or even parents, try to resolve
the argument without any violence.
Try to
remind yourself that you aren’t always right, and be mindful of
others points of view.
Be
an example of a peacemaker by demonstrating to others the skills of teamwork
and cooperation.
Don’t
be the one that casts the first stone or any stone for that matter.
Don’t
be afraid to stand up for peace. When someone wants violence (i.e. beat someone
up, shoot someone, maybe even kill someone, etc.) stand up for peace and try to
convert their mind even if it puts yourself in danger.
Nelson Mandela
“My life is a struggle.”
-Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela fought the Apartheid government of South Africa all his life. He was born on July 18, 1918 in his homeland of Transkei. As a child, Mandela grew up in a world where people were separated by color. It was even possible to get arrested for drinking from the wrong water fountain. Peers and school teachers described him as a troublemaker. As a young man, Nelson Mandela chose to be part of the African National Congress or ANS. He was interested in their non-violent and passive techniques that would change the world.
Nelson
Mandela led a revolution against the racially divided government (apartheid) and
created South Africa’s first Democratic government.
He dedicated his life to free South Africa from the unjust government.
He held many positions in the African National Congress, including
president. His demonstrations
against the government were massive and non-violent.
In 1964, Mandela was sent to prison for his ideas of freedom.
The trial that sentenced him was called the Rivionia Trial.
In the Rivionia Trial, even when Mandela was faced with the death
sentence, he took full responsibility and stayed true to what he knew was right,
peace.
"During my lifetime I have
dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against
white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished
the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in
harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal, which I hope to live for
and to achieve. But, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to
die."
-Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela never actually did anything wrong. The government felt that they needed to silence him before he gave people the idea of being free. Even in prison, he gave courage and power to those still fighting apartheid. In 1990, Nelson Mandela was freed from prison. Nelson Mandela finally defeated Apartheid utilizing peaceful methods. Soon Nelson Mandela received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his non-violent methods of reformation. Nelson Mandela is considered a peacemaker because he refused to use violence in his revolution against Apartheid.
Are you a peacemaker?
When taking the survey, try to answer each question as correctly as possible. Assign a number 1-5 to each question where 1 is 'do not demonstrate' and 5 is 'always demonstrates'. Type the appropriate number in the corresponding box. Add up the numbers to see your total score, then click submit to see how you rank.
Pictures
www.geocities.com/cool_clint22/pictures.html
www.vhpamuseum.org/souvenirs/patches/patches.html
Information
"Nelson
Rohlihlahla Mandela". African National Congress. 9
April 2002 <http://www.anc.org.za/people/mandela.html>
Trussell, Jeff. "Freedom
Hero: Nelson Mandela". 30 May 2002
<http://myhero.com/hero.asp?hero=nelsonMandela>
"Facts on Nelson Mandel".
Facts on File News Service. September
1998 <http://www.facts.com/cd/b94314.htm>
Created by Jeremy LaMaster